Don’t be intimidated

10/25/2018, 6 a.m.

Thought for the week:

If your vote is not important or doesn’t mean anything, then why are so many attempts made nationally to keep people of color from voting?

Reports coming in from across the nation detail the underhanded and treacherous attempts to keep African-Americans and others from the ballot box, including improperly purging people from the voter rolls; changing or eliminating voting precincts in African-American communities; requiring voters to present only certain forms of ID before they are given a ballot; and, strangely enough, circulating info to African-American communities with the wrong date of the election.

Even President Trump got in on efforts to intimidate voters from going to the polls. On Oct. 20, he tweeted: “All levels of government and Law Enforcement are watching carefully for VOTER FRAUD, including during EARLY VOTING. Cheat at your own peril. Violators will be subject to maximum penalties, both civil and criminal!”

Yes, there are people who know the power of your vote and the impact it can have in changing the direction of our nation. And they are willing to lie, cheat and steal to keep you from voting.

Yes, your one vote is important. And, yes, your vote means something.

Don’t believe anyone who tells you that a single vote doesn’t or can’t make a difference.

Exercise your constitutional right. Report any attempt by anyone to interfere with your right to vote by calling the Election Protection Hotline, (866) OUR-VOTE, run by a national, nonpartisan coalition of organizations that includes the national NAACP, the ACLU and the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and the Department of Justice Voting Rights Hotline, (800) 253-3931.

Go to the polls. Cast your ballot.

Vote on Tuesday, Nov. 6.

If you can’t get to the polls on Election Day, the deadline to request an absentee ballot to be mailed to you is 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30.

The deadline to apply in person for an absentee ballot and to vote absentee in person is Saturday, Nov. 3. The Richmond Voter Registrar’s Office is open for absentee voting 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27, and Saturday, Nov. 3.

For help by phone, here are the numbers to call your local voter registrar’s office: